How to Be Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 19, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The role of an Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician is extremely important in healthcare. As an orthopedic pharmacy technician, one is responsible for ensuring that patients receive the correct medications in a timely manner. This involves working closely with physicians to accurately interpret and fill prescriptions and ensuring that all medications are properly labeled and stored.

Furthermore, they are responsible for verifying patient information, answering patient inquiries, and providing medication counseling. As a result of this meticulous and important work, patients receive the medications they need to treat their orthopedic-related conditions, which helps to improve their quality of life and reduce the chances of serious medical complications.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Many pharmacy technician positions, including those in orthopedic pharmacy, require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Enroll in an accredited pharmacy technician program. To become an orthopedic pharmacy technician, you must first complete a formal training program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Gain experience in a pharmacy setting. Most employers prefer to hire pharmacy technicians with experience. Consider volunteering or working part-time in a retail pharmacy or hospital pharmacy to gain experience.
Earn your certification. After completing your training program, you should take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Passing this exam is required for most orthopedic pharmacy technician positions.
Become familiar with orthopedic medications. Orthopedic medications are specialized and can vary greatly depending on the patient's condition. Take the time to research the different types of medications used to treat orthopedic conditions and how they interact with other medications.
Find an orthopedic pharmacy technician position. Once you have gained experience in a pharmacy setting, earned your certification, and become familiar with orthopedic medications, you should begin your search for an orthopedic pharmacy technician position. You can search online job boards, attend job fairs, or contact local hospitals and pharmacies directly.

Becoming and staying qualified as an Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician requires dedication and a commitment to continual learning. Keeping up with the latest advances in the field is essential for ensuring patient safety and following best practices. To stay informed, technicians should attend continuing education seminars, read the latest research and participate in professional organizations.

technicians should become familiar with new technologies, such as robotic systems and computer-assisted dispensing, and be certified in automated pharmacy systems. By taking these steps and staying current on industry standards, technicians can remain qualified and ensure they are providing the best care possible to their patients.

You may want to check Orthopedic Clinical Data Manager, Orthopedic Radiologist, and Orthopedic Patient Advocate for alternative.

Job Description

Prepare medications for orthopedic patients under the direction of a pharmacist.
Maintain accurate records of medication dispensed.
Enter patient information into the computer system.
Receive and process prescriptions for orthopedic patients.
Answer customer questions about medications and orthopedic treatments.
Label and package medications for delivery or pickup.
Monitor inventory levels and place orders for medications and supplies.
Prepare patient medication profiles and review for accuracy.
Ensure proper storage and handling of medications.
Follow safety protocols when working with hazardous drugs.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of medical terminology related to orthopedic conditions and treatments
Knowledge of orthopedic medical instruments, equipment, and supplies
Ability to read, interpret, and implement physician orders
Ability to accurately prepare, label, and dispense medications
Ability to accurately calculate dosages and drug conversions
Knowledge of pharmaceutical compounding procedures
Ability to package and distribute medications
Ability to keep accurate patient records
Ability to work with physicians, other healthcare professionals, and patients
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations
Knowledge of drug interactions, contraindications, and side effects
Knowledge of inventory control systems and techniques
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve pharmacy-related issues
Skill in operating computerized pharmacy systems
Ability to maintain a safe and clean work environment

As an Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician, having a thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology is essential for providing accurate information about medications to patients and healthcare providers. it is important to possess excellent communication and customer service skills in order to effectively work with patients and other healthcare professionals. Being organized and detail-oriented are also key qualities, as Orthopedic Pharmacy Technicians must manage a variety of tasks such as inventory control, insurance processing, and data entry.

Finally, having the ability to stay current with pharmaceutical trends and regulations is paramount for success in this role. All of these skills combined enable Orthopedic Pharmacy Technicians to deliver quality service and ensure patient safety when it comes to dispensing medications.

Orthopedic Health Information Manager, Orthopedic Prosthetist/Orthotist, and Orthopedic Office Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in Orthopedic pharmacy?
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy in the preparation and distribution of prescriptions?
How do you stay up to date on changes in Orthopedic pharmacy regulations?
How do you handle difficult situations with customers in regards to their Orthopedic prescription needs?
What have you done to improve your knowledge of Orthopedic pharmacy?
Describe a situation where you had to take initiative to solve an issue with a customer's Orthopedic prescription.
What is your understanding of the different Orthopedic medication classes and how they interact with each other?
How do you ensure accurate and timely preparation and delivery of Orthopedic medications?
Describe a situation in which you had to go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.
What steps do you take to ensure that all safety protocols are followed when preparing and delivering Orthopedic medications?

Common Tools in Industry

Medication Refill and Renewal System. Tracks and updates medication refills and renewals (eg: Rx30).
Medication Inventory Management System. Tracks and manages medication inventory (eg: Pyxis).
Automated Dispensing System. Automates medication dispensing process (eg: Omnicell).
Compounding Software. Calculates and records compounding ingredients and measurements (eg: Ivolution).
Orthopedic Imaging Software. Captures images and data for orthopedic patients (eg: OrthoView).
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System. Tracks and records patient medical information (eg: Epic).
Clinical Decision Support System. Offers evidence-based decision support for healthcare providers (eg: UpToDate).
Prescription Verification System. Verifies accuracy of prescriptions (eg: SureScripts).
Automated Billing System. Automates billing and reimbursement processes (eg: Kareo).
Patient Education Resources. Provides patient education materials (eg: MedlinePlus).

Professional Organizations to Know

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)
The International Society of Pharmacy Technicians (ISPT)
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK)
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Allied Health Professionals (OPAH)

We also have Orthopedic Technician Trainer, Orthopedic Prosthetics Technician, and Orthopedic Medical Records Administrator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Orthopedic Surgery. A medical specialty that involves the treatment and prevention of diseases, injuries, and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A specialized practice of clinical pharmacy that focuses on optimizing medication therapy to improve patient outcomes.
Drug Interactions. A situation in which a substance affects the activity of a drug when both are administered together.
Drug Monograph. An FDA-approved document that provides detailed information about a medication, including its uses, dosages, side effects, and more.
Formulary. A list of medications that a health insurance plan will cover.
Pharmacology. The study of how drugs interact with living organisms to produce a change in function.
Prescription Dispensing. The process of interpreting, preparing, and dispensing medications according to a prescription from a licensed practitioner.
Compounding. The process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.
Inpatient Pharmacy. Pharmacy services provided to patients staying in a hospital or other long-term care facility.
Outpatient Pharmacy. Pharmacy services provided to patients visiting a clinic or other outpatient setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed to become an Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician?

To become an Orthopedic Pharmacy Technician, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Additionally, formal training from an accredited pharmacy technician program or a minimum of two years of on-the-job experience is necessary.

What type of duties do Orthopedic Pharmacy Technicians perform?

Orthopedic Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for various tasks, including maintaining accurate records of drugs dispensed, preparing and labeling medications for patient use, and providing customer service. They also may be responsible for checking prescriptions for accuracy and verifying the right dosage and strength of medications.